Have you ever wondered how things can be such a coincidence? Do you wonder if there is a certain fate for you? We are given an explanation in Matt Damon (Bourne Trilogy) and Emily Blunt’s (Wolfman) new movie, The Adjustment Bureau. Senate hopeful, David Norris (Matt Damon) accidentally discovers how the world actually works, where people are “adjusted” in their daily lives to fulfill a greater plan. Basically this: David is supposed to have a long political career, but because he wasn’t properly “adjusted,” his life is off plan and he is being pursued by The Adjustment Bureau to put it on track again.
I admit, the idea is very interesting and I do like how it is presented as more technical and not spiritual, but it’s still annoying to think that people really don’t have choices of their own. If you’re “meant” to play basketball, then they’ll pave the way for you? What about the homeless? Do they not count? There are so many holes in this theory it’s not even worth sorting out.
So let’s talk about the cast. Now, I love Mad Men. I love John Slattery as Roger Sterling. However, in this movie, he seems to be playing a version of Roger Sterling and I couldn’t separate him. Especially with that hat. I think he should have done something that was more of a separation of his known character. I did enjoy Matt Damon. I think he gets better and better with each movie and is a good dramatic actor. He was perfect for this role as a charming politician. Emily Blunt tends to be a bit too British sometimes, but I thought she was very understated and it worked well.
This was George Nolfi‘s directorial debut and he wrote the screenplay based off of Philip K. Dick‘s short story, ‘The Adjustment Team.’ George Nolfi also wrote the screenplays for Ocean’s Twelve and The Bourne Ultimatum, both Matt Damon movies. Coincidence? Many movies have been based off of Philip K. Dick stories (Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, Next) but they have tended to be a bit more of the sci-fi angle.
Overall the movie plays out as more of an action/drama and is entertaining, but I would have liked more explanation and less running. Perhaps because of their prior work experience Nolfi and Damon wanted to recreate some of that energy, but I wanted more sci-fi and drama. I’m sure the draw of Damon will bring people in, and people will enjoy it, but I wanted to be completely confused.
Rating: Entertaining and semi-thought provoking. It’s a conversation movie for sure.
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